Happy McIlroy at Oak Hill

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Rory McIlroy was in a positive frame of mind despite failing to climb into contention in the final round of the US PGA Championship.

The defending champion needed to shoot a low score after starting six shots off the pace but after a bright start blew any chance he had by taking seven at the par-four fifth.

A decent approach spun back into the water and then he pitched his fourth shot over the back of the green, but still managed to shoot a level-par 70.

"I actually didn't hit a bad shot, 168 yards to the pin, hit nine iron, pitched it just in the place where you can't pitch it I guess," he said.

"Obviously it was disappointing but I fought back well. I was four-under at that point and had just missed a short putt on the fourth to get to five.

"After doing that I just wanted to post as good a finish as I could.

"I saw a lot of great signs out there today. Hopefully I can just bring that through to the next few weeks and have a strong finish to the season."

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McDowell Delights in PGA Finish

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Graeme McDowell was delighted to post a final round of 66 in the US PGA Championship to give him some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

The Majors may be over for 2013, but McDowell has some important tournaments approaching, with the US PGA Tour reaching its climax in the next two months, followed by the Final Series on The European Tour, where he will hope to win The Race to Dubai.

Currently second in money list behind Swede Henrik Stenson, having won the Volvo World Match Play Championship and the Alstom Open de France, McDowell was happy to finish on a high note at Oak Hill Country Club.

“It's been a frustrating few months, but that was a little glimmer of light, something to take away,” said the Northern Irishman, who won the 2010 US Open. “It was nice to get some momentum out there. To make eight birdies was very pleasing.

“The putter has been cold for the last few months. It’s been a disappointing few months even with the French Open win in there.  There has been some very average ball striking and very average technique. I feel like I kind of got it back on track a little this week.

“It's very difficult to have your game exacted for these Major weeks. It's hard to peak, it's hard to be ready. I missed the cut at the Masters and I win the week after. I missed the cut at the US Open and won a couple of weeks after at the French Open. 

“It's a hard game. It's hard to get it right on the day.  The Major Championships are the toughest tests in golf, as we know.  They stress you, they frustrate you.  That's why great players win Majors, because they are hard to win.”

McDowell will also marry his girlfriend Kristin Snape in the autumn, and added: “It’s a big thing in a man’s life and I’m very much looking forward to it. The first time I’ll tee it up as a married man will be in the BMW Masters in Shanghai.”

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